Vehicle-brake



T. A. COLEMAN.

VBIHGLB BRAKE. APPLIoATroN 111mm 11152221, 1910.

Patented Jlly 11, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ull

I T. A. CULEMAN. VBHIULB BRAKE.

APPL10TION 'FILED HAB.. 21, 1910. l y

Patented July 11, 1911.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mms rmns, Inc., Lnnmfmsmum. n. C.

THOMASA. COLEMAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

. VEHICLE-BRAKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1911.

Application led March 21, 1910. Serial No. 550,598.

To all whom 'it mail concern:

' Be it known that I, THOMAS A. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of St. Louis Iand State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in VehicleBrakes, of which Vthe following is a l:"-ipeeiication "This invention relates to vehicle brakes and more particularly to ground brakes, or brakes whose shoes are brought in Contact with the ground or surface over which the vehicle is'passing, to check the speed and to bring the vehicle to a. stop. Objections to brakes of this character arise from the liability of accidental damage to the parts which are carried adjacent to the ground i? such a position that they usually strike large stones or other projections lying in the path thereof; and, also, from the lack of flexibility in certain parts of the mechanism.

The principal obj ects of the present invention are to secure a simple structure which is light and yet sufficiently rigid to with stand the stresses incidental to its use, to avoid accidental damage to the device, and to attain certain other advantages hereinafter more fully appearing.

In l the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification, and wherein like symbols 'refer to like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a transverse section through an axle showing a brake mounted thereon according to my invention, with a portion of the wheel broken away; Fig. 2 a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the brake mcehanisn'i partly insection and the brake shoe in Contact with'the ground; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan View showing ,the axle and a portion of the brake mechanism; lfig.- 4 is a fragmentary view showing the initial position of the brake shoe as it is brought in contact with the ground; Fig. 5 is a section on the line of Fig. Q; Fig. (5 is a fragmentary `persliective View of the actuating lever for the brake shoe; Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the brake shoe; and Fig. 8 is a plan view of a detachable wear plate for the brake shoe.

-s shown in the drawings, the brake mechanism is mounted on an axle 1 on the end of which is a wheel 2. Preferably, the device is mounted midway between the ends ofthe axle; and in some cases, for example, where platform spring arrangements are provided for the rimning gear, as in the case preferably 3 which is bolted or otherwise securely fas- A tened at its opposite ends to a plate 4. This plate 4 extends transversely of the axle underneath the same and has uptnrned lugs 5 on its rear end which are perforated in axial alinement to receivea transverse pivot bolt G. A plate 7 is provided onits upper face with lugs 8 whose end portionsr4 are hooked or turned forwardly substantially parallel'with the face ofthe plate. The lugs are perforated so as to pivotally fit upon ythe bolt 6 which is mounted on the lugs 5 ofthe plate 4. The rear end port-ion of the plate 7 extends some distance beyond the plate 4 and its front end terminates substantially square or flush with the front end of said plate 4.

Pivotally mounted on a cross pin 9 which is carried by lugs or ears 10 on the front end portion of the plate 4 is a hook member l1 which is arranged and adapted to engage thel front end portion of the plate 7 to hold the same normally in contact with said plate 4 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. l

Dependingp'from the pivotally mountedv plate 7 is a frame comprising two parallel side plates 12 which are secured to the lower endportions of front and rear support-ing membersl, 14, respectively. "These frame members 13, 14 each comprise, preferably, one continuous strip which is bent into substantially U-shape. and riveted at its middle' portion to the underside of the plate 7. Suitable stiifening braces 1'5, 16 arel secured to the plate 7 and to the frame members 13,

14, substantially as shown; and these braces 15, 1G are preferably formed of a continnous strip like said members 13, 14. The side plates 12 are connected by a cross tie member or brace 17 which is preferably a plate whose opposite end portions are bent at rightangles and riveted to the respective side plates 1?. This brace 17 is preferably located near the front and upper edge portions of the side plates 12 while the rear por tions of said side plates are preferably connected by a cylindrical cross member or stud 18 whose opposite end portions are reduced in diameter and projected through alining perforations in the side plates. The reduced end portions `of t-he stud. 18 are screw-r threaded toreceive clampingnuts which are tightened against the outer faces of the plates 12.

'other v o vious manipulating device, not

shown.

Pivotally mounted on the cylindrical T- head2() of theroclring lever 19 is a brake shoe This brake shoe is provided with a transverse cylindrical seat or pocket 26 said rod is resilientlyheld in normally raised position by the spring` 35.

which is a counterpart of the T-head 20 and is open at its top,y The upper portion of the shoe atthe rear of the seat 26 is slotted longitudixally to receive the forward portion of the lever 19 and to provide a transverse pair of retaining lugs 27. The open portion at the top of the cylindrical seat 26 is of a width' less than\the diameter of the T-head- 20 and a little more than the width of the lever 19. By this arrangement, the headl20 may be moved into the seat 26 transversely..

of the shoe, the endportion of the lever .119 passing through the opening at the top of the seat 26 until the longitudinal slot is reached, whereupon the lever is dropped -into said slot and the parts arel held against lateral displsement' by the lugs 27.

Infthe top of the front end portion of the brake shoe 25 is formed a pocket .28 having a rounded bottom and upwardly lari'ngv front and reaixw'alls. In this pocket is pivotally itted the lower end portion of the rod 29. The lower end portion of this rod 29 4is .provided withhan eye or transverse perforation in line with aliningl holes 30 in the shoe which are adapted to receive thevpivot pin 31. The rod/29 is slidably iitted through a bore in a swivel block 32 having-trunnions 3 3 which are journaled in perforations in the side plates 12; A liead 34 is provided on the upper end of the rod 29; and a spring 35 is coiled loo ely about the upper. portion of said rod 2 `hetween the head 34 and-the upper end of the swivel block 32,\v.hereby position.' By this* arrangement, the brake shoe and operating lever are also resiliently held in raised position and restored to such Pivotally mounted at, the front of the frame is a trigger or tripping device 36 whose upper end portion 37 is arranged and adapted to bear against the hook`1l and whose lowerv portion 38 is located in front of the side plates 12 and brake shoe 25; and

is preferably curved rearwardly substantially asshown.

plates12 are located a short distance above the ground and just far `enough to clear slight obstacles; and the end 38 of the lever 36A extends a little lower than the bottom edges of the plates. 12. By this arrangement, should a stone or other obstruction of 'proportions to damage the under-frame, lie

' hy the lower portion of the trigger 36 whereuponthe same is rocked and its upper portion bears against the hook 11 and forces the same from :under the end of the plate 7,

whereupon the entire under-framewill swing 'rearwardly on the pivot bolt 6 which is carried by the lugs 5 on the fixed plate 4. As soon as the obstruction is passed, the underframe may be swung into normal position; and to give force to the return movement of portion secured between the rear end of the strap 3 and thev plate 4 and its opposite end portions coiled loosely around the stud or bolt 6 and secured to the respective lugs 8 f as the frame swings rearwardly in passing whereupon the hook 11 will engage the front end of the plate 7. A spring 40 is 'provided to yiel'dingly hold the hook 11 in its normalposition and a spring/42 is likewise provided for the tripping lever 36.

. When it is desired to apply the brake, the cord or cable 22 is pulled andthe lever 19 is rocked on it's pivot stud 18. As shown in Fig. 4the rear end of the -brake shoe 25 starts to move downward, the pivotal conthe swivel block l32, permitting this action of the parts. As soonas the rear portion of fthe brake. shoe comes in contact with the of the forward portion of the lever 19 will move the shoe latwise upon the ground against the tension of the spring as shown brake shoe is gradually brought into flatwise l position.. Owing to this pivotal and yield- 4ing arrangement of the parte whereby -.the rearend of the shoe drops first, it is noted `that if a small rock or other projection happens tolie under the brake shoe as the same' is being moved into Contact with the ground, the shoe will ride over the .obstruction without damaging the mechanism. l That is, as soon as the shoe strikes the rock or other surface projection, the shoe in riding thereover will pivot on the T-head 20 of the lever 19,' as shown by the broken lines on Fig.A 4, the

In practice, the lower edges of the sideIA on the plate 7 of theunder-frame. By this' arrangement, the spring 39 is wound tighter nection between the shoe 25 and the ,resilif ently supported rod 29 which is mounted in in Fig. 2. It will'thus be seen that the' spring 35 and pivotal connections between ,inthe path of the same, it will be first Struck the frame, a rebent spring 39 has its middle' 845- over an obstruction, and it reactsto forcibly y swing the ramefback to normal position,

will Iirst be broughtin contact with the ground as the -forward end of the lever 19 ground, the continued downward movement l the brake shoe and the rod 29 of such movement.

The brake shoe 25 preferably is provided withV a detachable Wear plate 25a having a' dovetail rib 25h adapted to tit in a counter partgroove4 in the bottom of the shoe. The rib 25h and its 'counterpart groove are preferably tapered as shown in Fig. 8, or any other suitable arrangementfor securing the wear plate to the shoe may he employed.

Obviously, my' device admits of considerable modification without departing from my invention. Therefore, I do, not wish to he limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown. l

'What I claim is: i

l. A vehicle brake comprising a depending frame which is pivotally mounted and adapted to swing free -of the ground, a shoe mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved into efmtaet with they ground, mechanical means for operating said shoe, a releasable device for rigidly holding the trame in normal position, and a tripping device arranged and adapted to release said holding device so that the frame is tree to swing- Out of the way of an obstruction lying on the ground in the path thereof.

2. A vehicle brake comprising a depend-- ing frame which is pivot-ally mounted and adapted to swing free of the ground, a shoe mounted on said frame and adapted to be moved into contact with the ground, mechanical means for operating said shoe, a releasable device for rigidly holding said frame in normal position, and a tripping` device mounted in frontoi' said frame and adapted to strike an obstruction lyingon the ground in the path 'thereof and thereby release said holding device so that the trame is free to swing out of the way of the obstruction.

3. In a vehicle brake, the combina-tion with 'an axle, of a plate securechto the underside of said axle, a plate pivotally connected to the rear end of said Xed plate, a hook pivot.- ally mounted on the front end ot said fixed pla'te and arranged and `adapted to engage said pivotal'plate and hold the same normally in contact with said iixed plate, a frame depending from said pivotal plate` a shoe .mounted on said frame .and adapted to `be`moved into contact with the ground, and a tripping device mounted in front ot' said frame and adapted to release said hook from said pivotal plate whereby the same is free to swing on its pivot.

4. A vehicle brake vcomprising a pivotally mounted depending trame, a shoe mounted on 4saidframe andy adapted to be moved into Contact with the ground, a releasable device for holding said `trame in normal position. a tripping device mounted in front of said lranveand adapted to release said holding device trom said frame whereby the same is permitting free to swine on its ivot` and a s rinfr ar- 2D l b tion.

5. In a vehicle brake, the combination with an axle, of a plate`r secured to the underside thereof, aplate pivotally connected to the rear end ot' saidy fixed plate, a hook pivotally mounted-on the front, end of' said iixed plate and adapted to engage the front rnd of said pivotal plate and hold the same in contact with said lixed plate, a depending frame mounted on said pivotal plate` a brake shoe mounted in said depending trame and adapted vto be moved into contact with the ground, a tripping device pivotally mounted in t'ront ot said frame and adapted to engage said hook to release the. same 'from said pivotal plate, whereby the frame is .tree to swing on its pivot, and a :springarranged to be energized when said irame swings away from said hook and adapted by its reaction to restore said frame- `to normal position.

6. vehicle brake comprising a depending trame, a rocking lever mounted in said frame, a brake shoe pivotally mounted on said rocking lever, a rod Slida'hly mounted in a swivel block in said frame andpivotally connected at one end to said brake shoe, and a spring coiled around said rodbetween a fixed stop on its end opposite to its pivot and said `swivel block.

7. A vehicle brake'comprisingl a depending frame, a rocking levermounted in said frame, a brake shoe pivotally mounted on lsaid rocking lever and held normally in horizontal position, a substantially vertical rod' pivotally mounted at its lower end to said bralte shoe and slidahly fitted in a swivel block which is journaled on said frame, and a spring coiled around said rod between a iixed stop on its upper end and said swivel block.

8. In a vehicle brake. the combination thereon, a rocking lever mounted in said frame, a bralte shoe pivotall;7 mounted near its front end on vsaid rocking lever and adapted to be moved into contact with the ground, a substantiallyvertical rod pivotally connected at its lower end to the front portion of said brake shoe and slidabl'v tted inA a swivel block which is journaled in said frame, a spring coiled varound said rod between a tixed stop on the upper end thereof and said swivel bloelt. whereby said brake shoe and connected partsv are resiliently held in normal position. and whereby. also. the rearv end ot' said brake shoe is iiist moved into contact with the ground when said rocking lever is actuated to, set the breite.

9. l'n a vehicle brake. the combination with a depending frame. oi a rocking lever pivoted tinnsverselyv on said frame. a brake shoe pivot-ally connected intermediate its ends to the forward end oi'f said rocking lever, a substantiallyvertical rod slidably and pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotedat its lower end to the forward end portion of said brake shoe, andI resilient means for holding said rod normally in raised position. g

10. In a vehicle brake, the 'combination with a depending frame, of a rocking lever mounted on said frame, said rocking lever having a cylindrical T-head .at one end, a brake shoe having a transverse counterpart seat for said T-head and a longitudinal slot opening into said seat and adapted to receive said rocking lever, 'a substantially vertical rod slidably fitted through-a swivel block'on Y said frame andhaving its lower end pivoted to the vend portion of 4said brake shoe, a xed stop on the upper end of said roi-and a coiled spring slidably mounted on said rod between said liXed stop andthe top of said swivel block.

11. In a vehicle brake, the combination with a depending supporting 'frame coniprising two parallel side plates, of a rocktwo subscribing witnesses this 16th day of- March, 1910.

THOMAS A. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

G. A.' PENNINGTON, J. -B. MEGOWN.

Copies ofthis patent:l may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Gomniissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. .l A 

